Deerfield Manager's Wife Removed From Meeting

Outburst Follows Claim Deetjen Is Anti-semitic.

January 5, 2006|By Susannah Bryan Staff Writer

DEERFIELD BEACH — City Manager Larry Deetjen's wife was escorted from a city meeting this week after shouting at a commissioner for encouraging a discussion over accusations her husband was a "closet anti-Semite."

The meeting turned raucous when Lynn Deetjen yelled at Commissioner Marty Popelsky, who had asked a resident to explain why she called Deetjen an anti-Semite in a letter. The flap erupted on the night Deetjen was to receive his job evaluation.

"This is despicable!" Lynn Deetjen, seated in the second row, shouted at least four times. "You giving any credence to what this woman is saying is despicable. No one has ever accused my husband of being anti-Semitic ... Get her down!"

Caryl Berner accused Deetjen of being anti-Semitic in a letter she gave commissioners at the meeting. Berner, who made an unsuccessful run for office in March, was upset a Christmas tree was on display at City Hall during the holidays, but no menorah or dreidel.

The city manager defended that decision on Wednesday. "There is no endorsement [of a specific religion] in displaying a Christmas tree," he said. "It's to celebrate the holiday season, no matter what faith you are."

Deetjen also explained why he remained silent in reference to Berner's claim.

"Why would I respond to such baseless, mean-spirited and vicious charges?" he said.

At the meeting, Popelsky took exception to Berner's accusation and asked her for proof. Berner came to the podium, but was interrupted by Lynn Deetjen.

A sergeant and lieutenant with the Broward Sheriff's Office escorted Lynn Deetjen from the meeting, then allowed her to return two minutes later.

Resident Steve Miller also was escorted from the meeting after shouting at the podium over an unrelated issue. He too was allowed to return.

"We asked them to step outside so we could calm them down before they came back in," Lt. Don McCuaig said Wednesday.

Lynn Deetjen could not be reached for comment.

Dozens came to Tuesday's meeting expecting the commission to give Deetjen a performance evaluation, but commissioners postponed the job review until Jan. 17.

Deetjen defended his wife on Wednesday.

"I love my wife for her courage, standing up against not only slander, but against people who use such prejudicial phrases," he said.

Susannah Bryan can be reached at sbryan@sun-sentinel.com or 954-356-4531.